Launch of new Gaelic poetry competition

A new Gaelic poetry competition is to be introduced on the Isle of Skye. Sir Ian Macdonald wishes to establish an annual Gaelic poetry competition in memory of his daughter, Deborah, who died last year. The competition for ‘The Macdonald of Sleat’ poetry prize will be run by Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture, in Sleat.

Poems with a particular focus on trees will be sought each year.  In the first year of the competition, an invitation is extended to anyone who writes poetry or has an interest in doing so to compose a poem about a half-grown tree. The poems submitted will be considered by a literary panel and a prize of £500 will be awarded for the poem chosen by the panel.  Poems should be submitted to Christine Mackenzie, PA to the Principal, at the following e-mail address by 29 May 2015: runaire@smo.uhi.ac.uk

Sir Ian Macdonald commented ‘I see this competition as an appropriate way of building on the family’s links to the language and culture and of adding to the Gaelic bardic heritage and that of the clan.’

Sabhal Mòr Principal, Professor Boyd Robertson, welcomed the initiative; It is good that Sir Ian has chosen this form of memorial to his daughter and one that will allow Gaelic bards and bardesses to demonstrate their art and bring it into the public domain.’